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The involvement of Iran is seen as a major departure of US position
since 1979 to isolate Iran diplomatically and
economically when an Islamic revolution uprooted a US
puppet regime in that country. The revolutionists also
captured the American Embassy holding the employees
hostage for several years. The US attempted a major
rescue mission, which was botched within the first few
minutes into the operation when two helicopters
collided and alerting populations about a US invasion.
Losing the surprise advantage, the US military called
off the operation. Many former diplomats who were
hostages in Tehran say that the current Iranian
President Ahmadinejad led the takeover and was a
prominent member of the Revolutionary Guard; a charge
that Tehran denies.
Even if the countries should talk, it will be narrowly
focused only on Iraq and the US said it would not
negotiate the nuclear issue. The stability of Iraq is
of paramount importance to both countries. For the US,
a stable Iraq means that it can keep its schedule of
withdrawing its forces in November as planned. Iran is
very concerned that the sectarian strife in Iraq could
easily spill over into its borders and destabilize its
tottering economy. The US has frequently criticized
and accused Iran of sponsoring terrorism and
contributing to the destabilization of Iraq; a charge
that Iran assiduously denies.
Although political and military analysts do not rule out
American and Israeli air and missile attacks on
Iranian nuclear facilities, many see this as an
opportunity where the two estranged countries could
begin a conversation and cooperate. Some even hope
that once conversations on Iraq begin, other topics
such as Iran’s nuclear program may be brought to the
table. While the US public position may be not to
discuss non-Iraq issues, it may be inevitable that it
does discuss others issues with Iran. After all, Iran
is the only country that can give Americans hope to
leave Iraq peacefully. It commands the respect of the
Muslim world, albeit grudgingly from the Whhabbi Sunni
world, principled in its positions, and historically
more peaceful than a closet-terror nation like Saudi
Arabia. Furthermore, since a Shia Iran is at odds with
a Whhabbi Sunni al Qaeda and can act as a major buffer
between the US and a radical Islamic movement. In a
closer engagement with Iran, the US may find it less
radical than silent terrorist-supporting policies of
Saudi Arabia.
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